weakness

[week-nis]

noun

1. the state or quality of being weak; lack of strength, firmness, vigor, or the like; feebleness.

   Synonyms: fragility
   Antonyms: strength

2. an inadequate or defective quality, as in a person's character; slight fault or defect.

   to show great sympathy for human weaknesses.

   Synonyms: flaw

3. a self-indulgent liking or special fondness, as for a particular thing.

   I've always had a weakness for the opera.

   Synonyms: appetite, hunger, passion, penchant

4. an object of special desire; something very difficult to resist.

   Chocolates were her weakness.

weakness

/ ˈwiːknɪs /

noun

1. the state or quality of being weak

2. a deficiency or failing, as in a person's character

3. a self-indulgent fondness or liking

   a weakness for chocolates

Other Word Forms

• nonweakness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of weakness¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English waikenes, weikenes. See weak, -ness

Idioms and Phrases

see have a weakness for.

Synonym Study

See fault.

Example Sentences

Williams told the New York Times External link he supports additional easing as “risk management,” arguing that labor-market weakness poses the bigger threat.

Read more on Barron's

The recruit in question isn’t “sensitive,” which would imply weakness.

Read more on Salon

“I focus on thoroughly practicing various drills to identify my weaknesses and correct them,” Shimizu said on his school’s website.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A move through 90 basis points in the 10-year spread from 86bp currently “would raise some alarm bells and add to some independent weakness in the euro,” he says.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

SINGAPORE—New Zealand’s farm-rich economy returned to growth in the first quarter, exiting the recession that has dogged it for much of last year, but further weakness can’t be ruled out.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• deficiency 
• failing 
• flaw 
• fragility www.thesaurus.com
• frailty 
• gap 
• instability 
• lack 
• lapse 
• shortcoming 
• vulnerability